Updated Lightning Bug — Affordable Homebuilt (2018)

Brian Austein did it again! He drew big crowds and head-shakes of amazement at what he has created for — get this — a mere $3,000. That’s his total investment, including twin engines that cost $1,000 each. Well, OK, that small amount of cash plus a lot of brainpower and plenty of hands-on effort. What this longtime radio-control model airplane builder showed with Lightning Bug was that you could indeed build a man-carrying Part 103 ultralight using RC engines. Now, or 2018, Brian updated the original Lightning Bug to carry slight heavier pilots. It still flies great and you have to see this video to believe all its wonderful features. No wonder he won two judges awards at Sun ‘n Fun 2017.